Parenting in Indonesia
Raising Young Babies in Indonesia: Cultural Practices, Parenting Styles, and Developmental Approaches

Thuy Bui
Introduction
Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, is not only an archipelago of over 17,000 islands but also a mosaic of more than 300 ethnic groups, each with distinct traditions, languages, faiths, and approaches to child-rearing. Within this diversity lies a remarkable array of parental practices and cultural rituals, which shape the early development of Indonesian children from the very first moments of life. In recent decades, Indonesian parenting has attracted growing interest from scholars in anthropology, psychology, and developmental science, partly due to sweeping changes in the social, economic, and political fabric of the country.
The Indonesian government has made substantial investments in early childhood education, health, and protection, aiming to foster a ‘Golden Indonesia’ by 2045—a vision that underscores the criticality of the nation's youngest citizens1. The convergence of tradition and modernity, local customs and national policy, economic constraints and technological advancement, all color the lived experiences of Indonesian families as they raise their babies.
This report provides an expansive, evidence-driven exploration of how Indonesian people raise their young children, combining insights from scientific research, government guidelines, cross-cultural perspectives, and illustrated with relevant multimedia examples. Key topics include traditional postpartum rituals, cultural values and parenting styles, early education, sleep and caregiving arrangements, feeding practices, emotional bonding, socialization through community, and the evolving policy landscape. The report strives to present these rich, nuanced practices for an international audience, analyzing both enduring traditions and transformative trends.
I. Traditional Postpartum Rituals and Customs
